How-To Guides about Camping

The next time you're out camping, whether it's outdoors in the wilderness or right outside in your own backyard, try this hack out for an effortless campfire all night long. While there is definitely some prep work involved, it's well worth it if you don't need a huge bonfire, and more so if you plan on cooking meals over the flames.

The basics of how to pack personal gear for a canoe trip. This video doesn't cover food or larger gear like tents and canoes, but the rest is covered. Enjoy!

Check out this how-to video to learn tips on building a camp fire. One of the most enjoyable things in the world is a long-burning campfire in the great outdoors. Check out these tips for getting a campfire going without harming the environment... or yourself.

This video will show you how to fix or repair a broken clearance light on your popup camper. This will also work on a utility trailer.

This is just a simple survival light source. You can use a cheap outdoor solar yard light like the one in the video from walmart. There only about 3 to 5 bucks but you can use them not only as a light source but a way to recharge AA rechargeable batteries.

It's known that during the Thirty Years' War that took place in Europe between 1618 and 1648, soldiers used Swedish fire torches (also called Canadian candles) for heating, lighting, and cooking meals.

All you need is a single long piece (at least fifteen meters) of sturdy paracord, as well as a clasp for either end. You can also use this technique to make a rifle sling or something else for which you will need a long length of woven paracord. The knot itself is not difficult - just watch carefully and make sure you've given yourself enough time to finish this project. A great project to make for yourself, or the survivalist in your life.

Always practice good fire safety! Even homemakers go camping sometimes, and you'll want to know how get a good fire going. You can use a firestarter log if you don't have any kindling. If you don't have a firestarter log, you can use twists of newspaper.

Square lashing is a great way to hold two things together at a perpendicular with rope or cord. Like most any knot, there is more than one way to tie it, and in this video you'll learn how to tie the Japanese MKII version of square lashing.

Pop-up tents are much more convenient to pitch than the tents of old, but doing it for the first time is still tricky. Watch this video to learn how to set up both types of pop-up tent: the umbrella style and the coiled-spring style.

This clip presents an introduction to the ancient Japanese technique of square lashing. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find it's quite easy. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started doing square lashing yourself, watch this video tutorial.

In this video, we learn how to tie a Knute hitch. The purpose for this is to make an easy dummy cord on something with a hold for it. To start, tie a simple overhand knot in one end and then make a bite in the knot. With this bite, insert this into the hole in your item. Once it's through, take the end with the knot and put it through the loop. Then, pull the end of the string until it's tight over the item with the hole. Then you can use this as a handle so you don't lose your item!

Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy nature, but choosing just the right spot for pitching you tent can be tough. This video will give you some tips for choosing a site that is safe, convenient, and comfortable.

Using dirt for cleaning dishes? It can be done! If you're camping in the great outdoors and don't have dish soap, using dirt is a natural method of washing dishes. All you need is some dirt and boiling water to practice this valuable sanitation skill.

This video demonstrates the tripod method of setting up a campfire for cooking in the wilderness. In order to set up the tripod, you will need three large branches of hazel, some copper wire, and a hooked branch to be used to hang a pot from the tripod. The copper wire will be used to attach the hooked branch to the tripod setup and cord or rope may be substituted. Another method of cooking which is demonstrated is to cook food in a pot over some embers. A hole is dug in the ground and a fire...

In this video, we learn how to properly put on a heavy mountaineering backpack. It's very important to do this properly, or else you can severely injure your back. To put this on, grab the strap with both of your hands, then lift it up onto your knees, then slide it and kick it up onto your back. Next tie it around your waist and pull it so it's nice and tight. After this, use a chest strap so it's tight, but not enough so that you cannot breathe and it takes weight off your shoulders. Next,...

Sometimes when you're camping it's necessary to pitch a little something called a tent after a long trek hiking and exploring the great outdoors. And when you're ready to call it a day, make sure you can do so peacefully without the fear that your tent contraption will fall down on you during the middle of the night.

In this tutorial, we learn how to lash a bamboo tripod. First, you will tie a clove hitch by taking one piece of bamboo and wrapping the rope around it, then crossing the two sides of the string together to make a hitch. Next, you will secure the clove hitch around the third piece of bamboo. Now, you will rap all the pieces of bamboo together with the rope. Continue to do this until all the pieces feel secure together. Wrap the rope several times around each of the pieces, then wrap it in the...

In this tutorial, we learn how to bundle kindling. First, gather up 25 pieces of kindling together and tie it together with a rope on two ends and in the middle. Before you do this, you will cut the tops off of the kindling so you are just left with the branches. The water will go through these and it will build the bank up, that is what these kindling bundles were created for. You can bundle kindling in larger groups or smaller groups, depending on what you need it for. These were once used...

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to adjust a hiking backpack. Begin by loosening all the straps on the backpack. Then load the backpack onto yourself. Have the majority weight of the backpack on the hips. Tighten the hip belt and strap it around the hips. Make adjustments on the shoulder straps. Pull down the load lifters. Finish by tighten and connecting the sternum strap. This video will benefit those viewers who are planning to camp and learn how to survive in the wilderness, and...

Round lashing refers to a knot that you can use to hold two poles together easily and securely. This is useful for constructing a flagpole, as the creators of the video did here and building a-frames. This video will show you how to use round lashing quickly and easily for your next outdoor project.

In this tutorial, we learn how to put together a cooking kit and canteen on a budget. To make a cheap pouch, you can take a pair of pants and cut the leg off. Then, sew one end completely and sew the other as a drawstring. To pack your kit, make sure you have an absorbent towel to help with everyday things. Also, make sure you have a cooking kit, which can be made by an empty coffee can, water bottle, empty soup can, utensils, and water bottle. The last things to include in your pouch are a pan...

In this tutorial, we learn how to build the perfect campfire. It's important to consider the materials, it's impossible to take a lighter and light a large piece of wood. You want to start the fire small and build it large. Think about the wood you will be using, which will decide if you are going to cook on it or need it for warmth/light. Birch bark is great for a base layer. Cinder is perfect to place on top of the birch, then add in larger pieces of wood as you create a bigger fire. When you...

In this tutorial, we learn how to pack for mountaineering and backpacking trips. You will need a large backpack that fits your body, then lay out all of your items in front of you. Place your sleeping bag on the bottom of the backpack first, rolling it up tightly. Next, place climbing gear into the backpack and then fuel for the stove. After this, add rope to the bag, then a first aid kit. Next, add in a space blanket and some other clothing items you may need. Next, take a thermal foam pad and...

It may be more work that you thought, but following these steps is sure to prove you know what you’re doing!

In this tutorial, we learn how to build a shelter in the wild. You can use trees with a branch as the top to cover yourself from rain. You can also use tree branches and sticks to keep the shelter up. A shelter is great to store things in, or to sleep in. You can keep the fire close to the shelter so the heat goes into your shelter, but not too close so you don't set a fire. If you work quickly, it should only take a few hours to build this shelter. Also, place a tarp over the branches and...

In order to prepare a survival tin for camping, you will need the following: water purification, condoms, brass wire, a candle, a magnifying glass, waterproof matches, cotton balls, fishing hooks, small compass, whistles, fishing line, and empty tobacco tin, and artificial worms.

In order to build a good chuck box, you will need to do a lot of planning in advance, in order to make sure that you have the essentials and keep the weight of your chuck box down.

Putting up a tent is hard, but putting one up when one of your poles is broken is nearly impossible. Remember that little metal tube that came with your tent? Now is its time to shine. This video will teach you about the tent pole repair sleeve, the aforementioned metal tube, and how to use it to fix a tent pole and get your camping trip back on track.

Learn how to put up a tarp for shade and protection from the rain in this video. First, find two trees with a nice flat spot in between them. Throw a rope up over a limb at least fifteen feet or so high. Now, tie the rope off to itself or to a smaller limb. Next, secure the rope on the other tree and leave the slack on the ground. Next, put the tarp over the rope evenly and anchor one end with a wire tie, small rope or bungee. Now you hoist the tarp up using one end of the rope and pull it to...

There are some basic tips that you will need to know in order cook over various types of campfires. Hazel wood is a good wood to use, because it is a quick growing wood. Make a tripod with 3 wood posts and copper wiring. You will also need 2 hook sticks. Reserve them, when you are scavenging for wood for your fire and your tripod. These will be useful tools.

Cut an old sheet of news paper at about five inches in width. Roll it down to create a thick stick of newspaper. Get a roll of string that is specifically made of cotton or use a natural fiber string. Tie the string around your roll of newspaper to make sure it stays together or that it will not unroll. Submerge the rolled newspaper/s on a pot of hot and melted old candles. Let it sit for at least a minute or more as needed. Remove the rolled newspaper/s from the pot and let them dry out for at...

In this clip, learn how to get your children ready for a camping trip. Camping can be a fantastic experience for your little ones where they can learn about the environment, animals and basic outdoor activities. Teach your kids outdoor safety and get them involved so that they have a ton of fun.

Not every camper is looking to totally "rough it" while they are in the woods. In this clip, learn how to make a comfy, folding camping seat out of cheap supplies for less than five bucks! This foam pad is far better than the ones you buy at those expensive camping stores and because you made it yourself, you know it will work. The best part? If you lose it or it gets ruined out there in the wilderness, it was so cheap and easy to make that you can just create another one!

If you're out in the wilderness with only one or two other people, it's easy to get separated. Even worse, if you planned for the trip to be "all natural" and decided not to bring any electronic gadgets like TVs and cells phones, then there are no lines of communication between you and your buddies.

If you were on the hit show "Lost," would you be able to survive? While most of the main castmembers on the show tough it out through learning how to eat the island's vegetation, we know that most of you probably would have no clue as to how to distinguish between a poisonous mushroom and a non-poisonous one, and which plant growths are edible and which aren't.